Laughter in the Hall and the Dawn of Independence
Feeling great, so I'll make a special exception! A few days passed. Of course, things hadn't progressed much beyond that, but my head was filled with the romantic words echoing inside it.
Alfredo must have picked up on my mood too, grinning along with me. That violet-like girl was toying with my heart this way and that.
But the Northern Grand Duke is a man who strictly separates duty from personal matters. He'd survived the North's brutal winters, maintained his unyielding stance against the demon-like nomads pushing southward, and commanded armies as the finest commander on the frontier!
"Your Grace?"
And he'd conquered the hellish Northern winters through technology and effort, ensuring no one starved to death in any Northern city. In a land where most died before forty, he'd created a place where people could now live to a ripe old age peacefully.
"Your Grace? Are you listening?"
Hexon was rambling on about something. It didn't matter. In Winter's Hall, there was no time to entertain trivial opinions. Through selection and focus...
"Your Grace?"
"Uh, yeah. Right."
"Please share your opinion."
"On what?"
Hexon gave me a strange look. He glanced subtly at the others around. Bildo's expression was odd too. How long have you all been in Winter's Hall? I wanted to ask, but it seemed I was the one who hadn't been paying attention. Herger's face was peculiar as well. These guys...
"As expected of Grand Duke."
"What, what is?"
"They say the blood of the wolf gazes only at one woman and thinks of her eternally. This proves the wolf's blood flows in Your Grace."
"Are you teasing me? Right now?"
Hexon chuckled first. Laughter spread through Winter's Hall. Bildo laughed the loudest. Herger didn't even try to hold it back.
"Am I that obvious? Even to you all?"
"Your Grace, this is the most wolf-like we've ever seen you, so no need to worry."
"Isn't that still teasing?"
"Hahaha! Truly the legitimate Duke of the North!"
Whew. I couldn't help but laugh too. Fine, let's laugh. We all burst out laughing in Winter's Hall. No one knew exactly why. Or rather, it seemed like I was the only one who didn't.
Time to get back to business. I pulled myself together. The reason the ministers had gathered in Winter's Hall was specific. Talks with the imperial family had finally concluded.
The Grand Duke's fury hadn't been feigned. Reports like that must have gone in. Dorgon and the owl shared the same view. The imperial family had judged it necessary to quell the Grand Duke's anger for now. The Crown Prince was the least pleased, apparently.
"Independence, and so quickly decided—I didn't expect that."
"Indeed, Your Grace."
"Have you assessed any issues at this timing?"
Hexon said he'd had serious discussions with the Interior Ministry on Northern independence. Comparing the North's current state to the South's, it was impossible to draw parallels.
"In fact, we're practically independent already, so there's no issue with justification or other political matters."
"And reactions within the North?"
"The same. Northerners already look down on Southerners somewhat."
"Still, we have to treat Daniela well."
Hahaha! Laughter erupted again. A brief mood lightener. And it was true. Among Northerners were those originally from the South who'd been driven out, some building families and lineages here. Plus, there was some discrimination against Northerners. Not outright enmity, but mutual dislike lingered. With political and justificatory issues settled, personal matters were fine.
But now came the money problem.
"Economic issues are similar. Even with ongoing reports on the South's economy, proper comparisons were difficult."
"Still, you have some results?"
"Yes."
Hexon had mobilized nearly everyone in Interior to thoroughly investigate the South's economy. That's why papers kept flying back and forth. He'd worked hard. But no vacations or retirements. Got it?
"Not definitive, but we've estimated a 5:1 ratio."
"That big a gap?"
"Given the South's economic structure, yes. Merchants and nobles monopolize wealth, with almost no essential consumer base."
5:1. If the gap was that wide, the North's accumulating goods wouldn't find a market large enough. Hexon agreed.
"Road conditions and other infrastructure are also severely lacking. The Bart territory is minimally maintained, incomparable to our magic stone mines."
Bildo's words confirmed it. The North's economic woes—in fancy terms, real economy stagnation and inflationary pressure. Hence, trade with the South. But now, with this disparity, problems were obvious. Northern gold and assets would drain South regardless, but worthwhile profits would take ages. Endless pouring money wasn't viable. What I wanted was inevitable consumption to boost the Northern economy.
"How's the central bank setup?"
"It'll be established soon. Preparations are done, but who to appoint as head?"
"Jackson handled things well this time. Time to promote him. Leave it to Jackson."
But starting with one step mattered. With the central bank ready, Jackson seemed reliable. His inflexible nature would self-regulate. I'd step in if issues arose. And limited trade with Bart family required it.
"Lend loans gradually to the South, secure what we can. Focus on Bart family first, proceed slowly."
"Understood, Your Grace."
Now, diplomacy. Jamuchin hadn't returned yet. Nomad lands were vast, many to meet. Appease some, preemptively strike dangerous tribes—it took time. But Herger was handling it well.
"The agreement takes effect immediately; proceeding without hitches. However,"
"However?"
"The marquess-level noble meeting summoned by Bart family?"
"Yes. No longer needed."
"Crown Prince approved it. In a week, at the Imperial Palace."
That was odd. Not in Bart territory, but Imperial Palace—meaningful. Needed details from Dorgon or the owl. But I could guess. Crown Prince taking charge arbitrarily. To pressure other nobles.
"Should I go?"
Herger panicked. He said it wasn't necessary, but calculations showed benefits. We'd ramped pressure high; time to ease once. Withdrawing military wasn't ideal now.
"South's already under heavy pressure; ease up once."
"True, but no need for Your Grace to go personally..."
"Better if I resolve it directly, no?"
Herger agreed reluctantly. But his worry was elsewhere. Other ministers too.
"Can't predict what rudeness the Crown Prince might commit there."
"No worry. With independence recognized, our statuses align, right?"
"Nominally, a grand duchy's ruler is directly below the Emperor, equal status."
"Good. Tell Leor to prepare."
I left Winter's Hall with those final words. Crown Prince starting again. Needed to lower pressure on other nobles. Goals achieved. No longer imperial pressure setup.
"You there?"
"You called, Your Grace?"
It was the owl. In guard uniform, steadily fetching palace intel. Monitoring internals too.
"Crown Prince coming doesn't seem his idea. That de Bosch wench, right?"
"Likely. Rumors Bosch family attending too."
"No title, yet forcing in. Now I get it. Now I see."
This wasn't just Bart or Northern pressure's result. Maybe my vague hunch. But in this setup...
"Trying to prop up de Bosch family."
Can't let that happen.